Leyte welcomes new government-run resort

By Provincial Media Relations Center
November 24, 2009

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Leyte’s western side welcomes the opening of a new P4 million worth local government run resort seen to boost the local tourism industry in the area.

The Sibugay Mountain Resort in Sitio Soob, Poblacion, Albuera, Leyte is being poised to become an alternative eco-tourism resort and seen to create jobs and open livelihood opportunities.

Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, who recently led the inauguration rites of the resort, said investments in tourism yields more positive result if it comes from the private sector; however, in the case of the recently opened resort in Albuera, sans interested private investors coming in, the local government took the initiative and developed the resort themselves.

Gov. Petilla otherwise lauded the project started by the local government of Albuera under Mayor Sixto dela Victoria for making the first move to further their growing tourism industry in the area.

“Even in the midst of the global economic crisis, the tourism industry remains a key sector in generating jobs and various. That is why we have always encouraged the private sector and even the local government units themselves to put in their efforts towards advance this industry,” Gov. Petilla said during the inauguration rites.

He likewise pointed out that tourism should not be promoted at the expense of the environment. The provincial government, he added, advocates promoting and carrying out environmental awareness and solid waste management programs to ensure the cleanliness and beauty of local tourist destinations.

The governor noted that with the Sibugay Mountain Resort, the Albuera LGU has manage to package the resort as an eco-tourism destination, preserving the natural beauty of the environment with its lush mountain, green trees and clean flowing river.

According to Mayor dela Victoria, the leisure pool they have constructed alongside the river complements the natural ambience of the place.

Located more or less 2 kilometers away from the town proper of Albuera, the Sibugay Mountain Resort is accessible by motor ride from the poblacion to Sitio Soob at a fare rate of P10.

The resort also offers low entrance fee pegged at P25 per head for any interested patron. Cottage fee range is from P200 to P300. With this amount, the resort’s pool and other amenities are all for free.